METHUEN — Tom Duggan, owner and publisher of The Valley Patriot, was found not guilty of violating a stalking order Tuesday in Lawrence District Court.
The court ruled that Duggan did not violate an April 2 court order when he went to a location in Methuen on April 20 that served as a place of business for petitioner Kelly Frazier, who had been a subject of his reporting in The Valley Patriot, a free monthly public journal that often focuses on local politics.
Duggan’s arrest came after Frazier contacted police and said he was on her business property, according to a police report.
Duggan was cooperative, police said, saying he did not know Frazier’s business was at the location.
But his proximity to the business, documented on social media with a photo Duggan posted of himself, violated the order’s terms, which mandated he stay 300 feet from Frazier and stay away from her home and business.
Duggan was charged with violating the stalking order and remained in jail that weekend, according to police.
Frazier is the homeless coordinator for Lawrence.
In the stalking order, Frazier accused Duggan of bullying, harassment and threats over social media. The order was issued in Salem District Court in New Hampshire.
Details about the apparent feud between the two, the stalking charges and related information have been reported by Duggan in The Valley Patriot, along with allegations concerning Frazier and her husband, Donald Frazier, mainly related to Kelly Frazier’s work.
Duggan said he intends to fight the stalking order, which remains in effect until July 2025, and has hired legal representation.